Stroboscopic sign



Ma 18, 1937. c. o-o--oR ET AL 2,080,985

STROBOSCOPIG SIGN Filed May 10, 1955 s Sheets-Sheet 1 I NVEN r055 'Cur f/s O'Connor;

f/Ward lee.

T EWEY May 18,1937. c. O'CONNOR ET AL STRQBOSCOP IC 5 IGN 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 10, 1935 IN 1/5 N 7025 I Gaff/'5 OConnor',

May '18, 1937. c. O'CONNOR ET AL Filed May 10, "1935 3 Shets-Shet 3 I v E "H W 10 pf l" W W; T 5? ,i Y

lwvs/v-roas v Curf/Is O'Connor, W

p 0 5464/ I lee. 3%. 4 roe/var Patented May 18, 1937 UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE STROBOSCOPIC SIGN Curtis OConnor, Alton, and Edward Lee, East St. Louis, Ill.

This invention relates generally to display apparatus and more particularly to a certain new and useful improvement in illuminated display signs of the revolving type.

Our invention has for its prime object the provision of a device or apparatus of the kind stated for producing a configurated path of flashing light in continuously changing visual patterns with luminous backgrounds, the whole being produced in a periodically varying degree of intensity and coloration of attention compelling display.

Our invention has for another object the provision of a sign of the type and for the purpose stated which may be economically constructed, which is automatic in actuation, and which contemplates the employment especially, though not exclusively, of gaseous glow tubes of the double electrode type, wherein the electrodes respectively glow or become luminescent when energized at alternam potentials from an alternating current source.

And with the above and other objects in View, our invention resides in the novel forms of form, construction, arrangement, and combination of parts presently described and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanyin drawings (three sheets) Figure l is a front elevational view of an illuminated rotary sign of our invention, parts thereof being broken away to show the interior construction;

Figure 2 is a rear view of the rotary frame-disc which carries the lamps or lights of the sign, other parts being omitted;

Figure 3 is a rear elevational View of the sign, the rear wall of the cabinet being removed;

Figure 4 is an enlarged detail view of one of the rotative lamps, taken approximately along the line t, Figure 1;

Figure 5 is an enlarged detail fragmentary sectional View through another of the rotative lamps, taken approximately along the line 55, Figure 1;

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional View through the upper half of the sign as illustrated in Figure 1, taken approximately along the line 66, Figure 1, with some parts omitted; and

Figure '7 is a diagrammatic representation of one of the visual patterns produced by the sign.

Referring now more in detail and by reference characters to the drawings, which illustrate a preferred embodiment of our invention, the signstructure proper is preferably housed within a and at the diagonally opposite lower corner of '5- the box A and similarly connecting the walls 2, 4, is a diagonal brace 6, as best seen in Figure 3.

The box A is also provided with a removable back-wall 8 and a front-wall 9, the latter having an enlarged annular sight-aperture l8 whose margins are preferably ornamentally scalloped, as at l l, as best seen in Figure 1.

At its larger end attached to the inside face, and embracing the aperture H], of the frontwall 9 and having its smaller end presented rearl wardly Within the shell A, is a frusto-conical casing l2 forming a display-chamber B. ,At its inner or smaller end, the casing l2 has an annular flange l3 to which is marginally attached a preferably translucent disc M, upon the outer or front-face of which any particular sign, mate ter, or indicia may be displayed, as shown in Figure 1. The disc or sheet l4 forms the rearwall'of the chamber B, and suitable lamp-sockets I5, carrying or supporting any suitable preferably electric lamps iii, are mounted on the respective braces 5, 6, for effecting trans-illumination of the sign-disc M, as presently more particularly appears and as best seen in Figure 3.

Upstanding from the base or bottom-wall 2 of the box Aand disposed to the rear of the chamber B, is a standard or A-frame l1 terminating at its apex in a .orizontally disposed hub or bearing l8, which partially projects forwardly into the chamber B through an aperture l9 provided for the purpose in the sign-disc M, as seen in Figure 6.

Journaled in the bearing l8 and projecting at its opposite ends substantially therefrom, is a quill or rotatable sleeve 29, which, at its forward end, carries an approximately rectangular hubplate 2|, as best seen in Figures 2 and 6. Intermediate the plate 2| and bearing 18, is first disposed a set-collar 22 and then a thrust-washer 23, the latter being preferably of insulation material, as best seen in Figure 6.

On the rear end of the sleeve 20, is mounted a pulley 24, engaged by a belt 25, which extends to a pulley 26 on the shaft of a suitable primemover, as an electric-motor 21, mounted on the bottom-wall 2 of the box A, as best seen in Fig ure 3.

Forming part of a frame C disposed for rotation in the chamber B and axially fixed to and upon the front face of the hub-plate 2| of the sleeve 20, is a preferably insulation rear or main disc 28, and spaced forwardly in the chamber B from, and by means of spacer-elements 29 fixed in parallel relation to, the disc 28, is an also preferably insulation false front disc 38 preferably equipped with an axially disposed ornamental hub-cap 3|, the discs 28, 33, being further provided with a plurality of registering radial stroboscopic openings or slots 32, in the present instance three in number, through which the sign-disc i4 is visually displayed in a stroboscopic manner on revolution of the frame C at a suitable speed, as will be readily understood, and as best seen in Figures 1, 2, and 6.

The main disc 28 of frame C carries a plurality of fixed or stationary lamp-sockets D, in the present instance five in number, disposed in any suitable or desired relative arrangement, one such arrangement being shown in Figures 1 and 2. Each socket D comprises a standard lampsocket screw-base 33 of conducting material, whose side-wall forms one terminal of the socket, the base 33 having a conducting flange 34 and an insulation base 35 and the latter being provided with a contact button 35, forming the other terminal of the socket, in the usual manner. It may be observed that the disc 28 is provided with suitably threaded apertures 3i, into and through which the respective sockets D are forwardly threaded or screwed until the respective flanges 34 engage the rear face of the disc 28 for securing the sockets in position.

The front disc 38 is provided with corresponding apertures 38, each in registration with a respective socket D, so as to permit respective glowlamps E, presently to be more particularly described, to be inserted into the respective sockets D from the front side of the rotary frame C, as best seen in Figures 1 and 6.

The main disc 28 of frame C also carries a plurality of rotary sockets, in the present instance two in number, designated F, G, respectively, each of which comprises a metallic or conducting sleeve or barrel 39, in which is: mounted a standard screw-base 45. The barrel 39 is mounted for rotation in a suitable aperture 4| provided in the disc 28 and is provided at one end with an annular flange 42, which engages the rear face of the disc 28, and at its other end with another annular flange or contact-ring 43, also of conducting material, which engages the front face of the disc 28.

Disposed on the disc 28 adjacent each respective socket F, G, is a bracket 44, on which is mounted a resilient conducting contact-finger or brush 45, Whose free end has sliding contact with the periphery of the contact-ring 43 for forming one terminal of the socket F, or G, as the case may be, and as best seen in Figures 1, 4, and 5.

The other terminal of the socket F is formed by a resilient contact-finger 45 mounted on the rear face of the disc 28 and having its free end so suitably curved or arched as to clear the flange 42 for terminating at the axial center-line of the socket F, the fixed end of the finger 45 being conductively connected by a wire 47 with the hubplate 2|.

The other terminal of the socket G is provided by a similarly formed and disposed resilient contact-finger 48, which is, however, for convenience, conductively fixed at an end directly on the hubplate 2|, as best seen in Figure 2.

The front disc 38 is likewise suitably apertured for permitting glow-lamps E also to be inserted from the front side of the frame C into the respective sockets F, G, the usual contact knob 49 on the base of the respective lamp E then engaging the free end of contact finger 46 or 48, as the case may be, as best seen in Figure 5.

On the contact ring 43 of each socket F, G, is mounted a gear 58, meshing with respective worms 5| mounted on the opposite ends of a shaft 52 extending diagonally across the front face of the rear disc 28, the shaft 52 being journaled suitably in and through the respective brackets 43, as best seen in Figures 1, 4, and 5.

Intermediate its ends, the shaft 52 is also journaled in and through a bracket 53 disposed at the axis of the frame C, the shaft 52 there carrying a pinion 54 which meshes with a worm 55 mounted on a conducting stationary shaft 58 disposed in the axis of the frame C, and hence at right angles to the shaft 52. The shaft 55 is journaled also in and through the bracket 53 and extends axially through the sleeve 20, from which the shaft 56 is electrically insulated, however, by means of an insulation bushing 57, the shaft 56 at its rear end projecting beyond the sleeve 25 into engagement with a bracket 58 attached to the rear box-Wall 8 for securing the shaft 56 against rotation, whereby, as the frame C is revolved, each respective socket F, G, is caused to rotate or whirl about an axis at right angles to its plane of circumvolution, as best seen in Figures 1 and 6.

Mounted conductively on the flange 42 of the socket G, is a distributor plate 59, which at its peripheral margin is provided with a plurality of radial contact fingers adapted, when the socket,

G is rotated, as presently appearing, for effecting intermittent engagement with an annular series of contacts 6!, in the present instance flve in number, mounted in and through the disc 28, and each conductively connected by respective wires 62, 53, 64, 65, 56, disposed on the front side of the disc 28, with the respective flanges 34 of the sockets D. On the rear side of the disc 28, the contacts 35 of the sockets D are; all conductively connected together by a loop wire 61, which is, in turn, connectedto the wire 41 and hence also to the hub-plate 2|, as best seen in Figures 1 and 2.

For supplying current to the circuit which effects incandescence of the electrodes of the sev-. eral lamps E, a conventional type of electrical;

connection plug 68 is provided for connecting the apparatus to a suitable source of alternating cur rent power supply (not shown), the plug 68 having a pair of flexible extension cords or leads, 69, 10, respectively, which are passed in suitable manner into the interior of the box A, as best seen in Figure 3.

One side of the circuit includes the lead 69, which is conductively connected to a terminal post H mounted on the bottom box-wall 2, and from the post 1|, a lead 72 extends to the stationary shaft 55, to which the lead 12 is conductively connected, as at 13. This side of the circuit is then continued through the shaft 56, worm 55, pinion 54, and shaft 52, to each bracket 44, wiper 45, contact-ring 43, barrel 39, and finally the socket base 48 of the respective rotary sockets In addition, the path of the circuit is continued through the distributor-plate 59 and its fingers 68, contacts 6|, and respective leads 62, 63,, 64, 65, 66, to the flange 34 and socket-base 33 of the respective sockets D.

The return side of the circuit includes the loop-wire 61, which connects the terminals 36 of the respective sockets D and'the contact finger 46 of the socket F, the latter, in turn, being connected through the lead 41 and the hub-plate 2| with the contact finger 48 of the socket G. The circuit is then continued through the sleeve or quill 20 and bearing I8 to the standard I1, and the latter carries a terminal T4 to which the lead 10 is conductively connected, as best seen in Figure 3. 1

For effecting illumination of the lamps I6, a lead 15 extends from the terminal post "to one terminal of a thermo-electric type of intermittent or flasher switch 16 providedwith a bypass condenser"?! in the usual manner.

The other terminal of the switch 16 is preferably mounted directly on the one'terminal of the socket l that is attached to the lower brace 6 of the box A, a lead 18 being extended from the switch 16 to one terminal of the other socket l5 that is attached to the upper brace 5.

From the other terminal of the upper socket l5, a lead 19 extends to the corresponding ter minal of the lower socket l5, and from thence a lead 80 extends to one side of an on-off switch 8! mounted in and through the wall 4 of the box A, the other side of the switch 8| being then connected by a lead 82 with the terminal 14 on the standard H, as best seen in Figure 3.

For supplying current to the motor 21, a lead 83 extends from the terminal post H to one side of the winding of the motor 21, the other side thereof being connected by a lead 8 4 to a terminal post 85 also on the standard H. The terminal post 85 also serves to secure the terminal bracket of a by-pass condenser 86 to the standard IT, a lead 81 being extended from the condenser 86 to the post H for affording the customary condensive protection to the motor 21.

The lamps 15 are preferably of the customary type of electrical incandescent lamps for effecting transillumination of the sign I4.

Our invention, however, is especially, though not exclusively, adapted to employ a glow-lamp E in the several sockets D, F, and G. Briefly, it

may here be said that the type of glow-lamp referred to comprises a light source having a periodically varying intensity and position of luminescence, and comprises a glass bulb or envelope 88, which contains a so-called rare gas, as neon, argon, or a mixture of similar gases, with a pair of metallic electrodes 89 99, sealed within the bulb 88. The plates89, 90, are in the form of opposing half-round sections, so that each plate 89, 98, is eccentrically disposed with respect to the axis of the lamp, the bulb 88 preferably, though not necessarily, having a standard type of screw-base 9!, as best seen in Figures 4 and 5.

When an alternating current is supplied to the lamp E, the respective electrodes-89, 90, will glow or become luminescent alternately, when each is on the negative half or alternation of a cycle of alternating current; for example, the electrode 89 glows when its potential is negative, while the electrode 90, being of opposite polarity or positive, is dark, and vice-versa.

it follows that, if a lamp E is circumvolved or caused to move in a circular path, the respective electrodes 89, 90, will glow or rapidly flash with stroboscopic effect at successively spaced positions in the path of movement of the lamp, that is to say, each successive glow ofv an electrode will be angularly displaced with respect to the preceding glow thereof, depending on the sufiiciently high, the successive glow positions of a particular lamp E will be visually manifested by a pattern of light whose particular configuration will depend upon the relative orientation or angularposition of the electrodes wit respect to their circular path.

In some cases, for example,- the glow may appear alternately on opposite sides of the path of circumvolution of the lamp, giving to the eye the eifect ofa series of disjoined arcuate wavy bands or streaks of light, as shown at 92 in Figure 7. Again, the glow may appear to the eye as a series of disjoined irregular arcuate rectangles of light, as at 93 in Figure 7, and still other figures maybe readily produced by mounting the lamps in selected position on the frame C.

Furthermore, when a lamp E is mounted in one of the sockets. F or G, the eccentrically disposed pair of electrodes 89, 9B, are, in the manner described, caused to whirl about theaxis of the lamp while the same is describing its path of circumvolution, whereby the visual pattern, as 92 or 93, produced by such lamp continually changes in shape and form, resulting in the most beautiful and harmonious kaleidoscopicv effects.

However, the bulb 88 may, .if desired, be sprayed or coated with a'colored paint or like translucent material, which not only modifies thecolor of the light transmitted, but also effectively diifuses the light resulting from the rapid flashes of the electrodes 89, 9!], so that such a treated lamp, when revolved with the frame 0, will give to the eye the effect of abroad circular band of diffused light, as at 94 or 95, in Figure '7, which, as in the present instance, forms an effective background to the more brilliant strobosco-pic flashes from the uncoated or clear-bulb lamps.

In the present instance, several different kinds of glow lamps E are employed, which, for purposes of description, will be distinguished more particularly by means of the series of lower case alphabetical, reference characters a to g, inclusive.

The stroboscopic pattern 32 is produced by a clear bulb argon mixed gas or blue glow lamp :1, which is mounted in the whirling socket F. The background 94 is provided by three different colored lamps b, c, d, respectively, mounted in the outer three non-whirling sockets D. The lamp U is an argon blue glow lamp suitably sprayed so as to give, for example, a difiused green light; the lamp 0 is a neon red glow lamp sprayed red, so as to give a diffused red light; and the lamp d is an argon blue glow lamp sprayed blue, so as to give a diffused blue light.

The stroboscopic pattern 93 is produced by a clear bulb neon red glow lamp e, which is mounted in the whirling socket G. The pattern 93 may be modified, however, by a super-positioned glow emitted from a clear-bulb neon red glow lamp 1, mounted in one of the inner two non-whirling sockets D. The background 95 is provided by an argon blue glow lamp g sprayed yellow, so as to give a green light.

Not all these lights are on at the same time. At the particular moment shown in the drawings, the whirling lamp a is producing the blue pattern 92, and the lamp 0, being momentarily on, is producing the red background 94, the lamps b and d being momentarily off.

As the lamps b, c, and d are turned off and on, singly or together, the color of the background 94 will change correspondingly, and as the lamp a is whirled, the pattern 92 will likewise vary its form and shape, as has been previousl set forth.

Similarly, the whirling lamp e is producing the red pattern 83, and the lamp 9*, being momentarily on, is producing the green background 95, the lamp being at the time momentarily off. As the lamps f and g are turned off and on, singly or together, the visual effect produced by the lamps e, j, and y will likewise vary in form, color, and shape.

During the operation of the device, the automatic thermo-switch l6 actsto intermittently energize the lamps l6 for effecting transillumination of the sign I4, which is then stroboscopically presented to vision through the rapidly moving slots 32 in the revolving frame C.

As desired, the manual switch 8| may also be employed for energizing or de-energizing the lamps l6 while the frame C is being revolved.

In practice, our invention provides a sign wherein the most varied, beautiful, and unique effects may readily be produced, the revolving lights exhibiting attention compelling patterns of dazzling brilliancy in a constantly shifting or varying visual effect, the variations being both in the colors displayed and in the details of the patterns shown as the display is revolved.

It will be understood that changes and modifications in the form, construction, arrangement, and combination of the several parts of our sign may be made and substituted for those herein shown and described Without departing from the nature and principle of our invention.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is,

1. A sign comprising, in combination, a plurality of light-sources some of which having a periodically varying intensity and position of luminescence, means for intermittently deenergizing some of said light-sources, means for varying the luminosity of said last-named light-sources, and means for circumvolving the light-sources in unison for impressing on the vision a configurated luminous pattern collectively formed by the several light-sources.

2. A sign comprising, in combination, a plurality of light-sources some of which having a periodically varying intensity and position of luminescence, means for circumvolving the lightsources in unison for impressing on the vision a configurated luminous pattern produced by the.

periodically varying light-sources and comp-rising a back-ground formed by the remainder of the light-sources, means for rotating the periodically varying light-sources on their respective axes while being circumvolved for effecting continuous variation in the pattern produced thereby, and means for varying the luminosity of the other light-sources for effecting variations in the luminous back-ground produced thereby.

3. A sign comprising, in combination, a lightsource having a periodically varying intensity and position of luminosity, a revolving frame supporting said light-source for effecting circumvolution thereof, and a display disposed rearwardly of the frame, the frame having series of openings therethrough for providing a stroboscopic view of the display through the frame. l

4. A sign comprising, in combination, a lightsource, a revolvable frame, a support for said light-source mounted for axial rotation on the frame, means for rotating the frame, means for axially rotating said support relatively to the frame responsively to revolution of the frame, other light-sources also carried by the frame, and means responsive to axial rotation of said support for effecting periodic illumination of the lastmentionedlight-sources.

5. In a sign, a stationary translucent display, a stroboscopic frame mounted for rotation forwardly of the display, a plurality of light-sources carried by and movable with the frame, one of said light-sources being also and simultaneously axially movable relatively to the frame, and illuminating means disposed rearwardly of the display, said one light-source comprising a glow-tube having electrodes respectively luminescent at alternate potentials.

6. In a sign, in combination, a lamp having electrodes respectively luminescent at alternate potentials, means for revolving the lamp bodily in a circular path and simultaneously axially rotating the lamp, and means for supplying alternating current to the lamp during rotative movement thereof.

'7. In a device of the character described, a rotatable frame, a plurality of light-sources mounted in said frame, one of said light-sources being also rotatable about its own axis, and means co-operatively associated with the lastnamed light-source for completing electrical circuits to the various light-sources in a predetermined relationship.

8. In a device of the character described, a rotatable frame, a plurality of light-sources mounted in said frame, some of said light-sources having a periodically varying intensity, one of said light-sources being also rotatable about its own axis, and means co-operatively associated with the last-named light source for completing electrical circuits to the various light-sources in a predetermined relationship.

9. In a device of the character described, a rotatable frame, a plurality of light-sources mounted in said frame, one of said light-sources being also rotatable about its own axis, means cooperatively associated with the last-named lightsource for completing electrical circuits to the various light-sources in a predetermined relationship for producing a light-patterned background, and stroboscopic means associated with said frame for visually superimposing a predetermined light-pattern upon the background.

CURTIS O'CONNOR. EDWARD LEE. 

